The best questions to ask at the end of an interview show you're already thinking about doing the job well: what success looks like in the first few months, the biggest challenge in the role, how the team works, and what the next steps are. Ask two or three, prepare a few spares, and skip anything the company website already answers. "No, I think you've covered everything" is the one answer to avoid.
Below are the questions worth asking, grouped by what they tell you and by who's across the table, plus five to leave out.
Why this part matters more than it seems
"Do you have any questions for us?" isn't a polite way to end the meeting. Interviewers use your questions to judge two things: how seriously you've thought about the job, and how you think. It's also your best chance to find out whether you actually want to work there — interviews go both ways.
How many to ask: prepare five, ask two or three. Some will get answered during the interview, so you need spares. If time is short, ask your single best question and the one about next steps.
The best questions to ask
About the role
- "What would success look like in the first three months?" — The single most useful question. It tells you what they really need, and the answer gives you something to talk about in your follow-up email.
- "What does a typical week look like?" — Cuts through vague job descriptions.
- "What's the hardest part of this job?" — People usually answer honestly, and you learn what you're walking into.
- "Why is this role open?" — New role, someone promoted, or someone who left? Each tells a different story.
- "What would you want the person in this role to start on first?"
About the team
- "Who would I work with most closely, day to day?"
- "How does the team share work and give feedback?"
- "What do people on the team enjoy most about working here?" — If the interviewer struggles to answer, notice that.
About the manager (if you're talking to them)
- "How do you like to work with the people on your team?" — Weekly 1:1s? Hands-off? You'll want to know.
- "What's something a previous person in this role did that you'd love to see again?"
About the company
- "What are the team's biggest priorities this year?"
- "What has changed most in the company over the past year?"
- "How does this role contribute to those priorities?"
About growth
- "How have people in this role grown or moved on in the past?"
- "What does learning look like here — training, budget, mentoring?"
About next steps (always ask one of these)
- "What are the next steps, and when can I expect to hear back?"
- "Is there anything about my background that makes you hesitate?" — Brave, but valuable: it gives you a chance to clear up a doubt while you're still in the room. If it feels too direct, try: "Is there anything else you'd like to know about my experience?"
Questions to ask, by who's interviewing you
| Interviewer | What they know best | Good question |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiter / HR | Process, timeline, pay bands, policies | "What does the rest of the process look like, and who will I meet?" |
| Hiring manager | The work, the team, what "good" means | "What would success look like in the first three months?" |
| Future colleague | What the job is really like | "What do you wish you'd known in your first month here?" |
| Senior leader / founder | Direction and priorities | "What are you most hoping this team achieves this year?" |
Asking each person the question they're best placed to answer is a quiet signal that you understand how organisations work.
5 questions never to ask (at least not like this)
- "So, what does your company do?" — The website exists. Ask about something you found there instead: "I saw you launched X last month — how has that changed things for this team?"
- "How much holiday do I get?" / "What's the salary?" — in a first interview. Pay matters, and you should know the range early. But the end of a first interview is the wrong moment unless they bring it up. Ask the recruiter about the range separately, and negotiate once there's an offer — here's how to negotiate salary.
- "Did I get the job?" — It puts the interviewer on the spot, and they usually can't answer yet. Ask about next steps instead.
- "How soon can I…?" — "How soon can I work from home / get promoted / take time off?" sounds like you're planning your exit. If remote work matters to you, ask neutrally: "How does the team split office and remote days?"
- "No, you've covered everything." — It sounds like a lack of interest even when it isn't. See below for what to say instead.
What to say if they've already answered everything
It happens, especially in long interviews. Don't fake a question — refer back to the conversation:
"You've actually answered most of what I wanted to ask — especially about [something they explained]. One thing I'd still like to understand is [a follow-up on something they said]."
Or use the moment to close well:
"I think you've covered everything, thank you. I'd just add that everything I've heard today has made me more interested in the role — especially [one real thing]."
How to ask them well
- Write them down on a notepad or phone and say "I've jotted a few questions down" — it looks prepared, not nervous.
- Listen to the answer. Your follow-up to their answer matters more than your original question.
- Tie them to something said earlier. "You mentioned the team is growing — how will that change this role?" shows you were paying attention.
- Watch the clock. If the interview has run long, ask one question and check: "I have a couple more, but I'm conscious of time — is that OK?"
After the interview
Use what they told you. The answer to "what would success look like?" is the perfect material for your thank-you email — and for the next round, where a short plan for your first three months makes you very hard to forget. Before that next round, also make sure your answer to "Why should we hire you?" and your behavioral interview stories are ready.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions should I ask at the end of an interview?
Two or three is ideal. Prepare five so you still have good ones if some get answered during the interview.
Is it bad not to ask any questions?
It's usually read as a lack of interest or preparation. Even if everything has been covered, ask about next steps or follow up on something they said.
Can I ask about salary at the end of the interview?
In a first interview, it's better to ask the recruiter about the pay range separately. If the interviewer raises pay, it's fine to discuss it.
Should I ask different questions in a second interview?
Yes. Go deeper: ask about specific projects, how the team measures results, and what the first three months would involve. Don't repeat questions you already asked.